State Senate passes bill to let parks be named for donors

CARSON CITY — Welcome to the beautiful Joe’s Bail Bonds City Park in Fallon.

When in Dayton, don’t miss the Moonlite Bunny Ranch Community Swimming Pool.

Or how about completing a trip to Virginia City by visiting former brothel owner Joe Conforte’s Storey County Government Center.

Sound far-fetched?

Well, it’s not that improbable if legislators approve Senate Bill 384, which would authorize local governments and school districts to name parks, recreational facilities and even schools after whoever comes up with the most money.

Sen. John Lee,  D-North Las Vegas, introduced the bill as a way to find more money for government programs that are being cut during a time of declining revenue.

“It has worked well in other places that have had a hard time getting money for parks and recreation,” said Lee on Monday during a meeting of the Assembly Government Affairs Committee.

The bill passed the Senate 21-0 and now is receiving hearings in the Assembly.

Clark County lobbyist Mike Murphy testified his county has adopted an ordinance that spells out rules for naming public facilities. Those rules state the name selected cannot “harm the mission of Clark County” or promote illegal activity, generate hate, violence or antisocial behavior.

Lee’s bill leaves the decision of how facilities are named to local governments. Throughout much of rural Nevada, prostitution is legal. Conceivably, parks or public buildings could be named after brothels or brothel owners.

Ex-Mustang Ranch owner Conforte often gave turkeys at Christmas to needy families. Storey County wanted to name a golf course in Conforte’s honor, but the deal fell through, said George Flint, lobbyist for the Nevada Brothel Association.

Lyon County named a road for owner Dennis Hof’s brothel: BunnyRanch Boulevard in 2009. Hof and his working girls also have contributed to many charities.

In an interview, Lee said he would leave the naming decisions up to the affected local governments but assumed they would use good judgment.

Lee told the committee the bill would not remove the names of existing facilities named after individuals of historical significance, such as the Thomas & Mack Center and Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.

The only person to speak out against the bill was Assemblywoman Peggy Pierce, D-Las Vegas.

She said Nevada could have a “generation of kids” who think Sprint gave them one park, while a different park was provided by NVEnergy.

Lee joked that the Clark County ordinance must be working because Lee Canyon is named after him.

Records show Lee Canyon was named in 1882, apparently after a Lee Creek. Its origins are not identified in “Nevada Place Names.” Another Lee Creek in Nevada was named after Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.

Assembly Government Affairs Chairman Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas, said her committee might “tighten things up a bit” before passing the bill. She was concerned current building names might still be sold to the highest bidder, and she wanted to make sure that never occurs.

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.